Austin – Silvie Rider

As you all know, we love to feature some of the lovely members of EuroCircle. I love chansons, Edith Piaf, Billie Holliday….old raspy jazz that has that elusive smooth quality. That’s how I found Silvie – the lovely chanteuse.

Who are you and where are you from?

I am Silvie Rider-Young and I come here to Austin because of Love…I am Swiss

Tell us a little about your life in Austin?

Music, music and music….

How would you describe your music?

Dynamic, creative, lyrical and… passionate.

When did you first start signing?

very early….bubbling crying and singing..happily in my crib….

What did your family do to encourage you?

bringing the House Piano to us “chez nous” from my Grand Parents House…..

Who are your musical inspirations??

Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy,Jimi Hendrix, Thelonius Monk,John Coltraine,Billie Holiday,Edith Piaf,Charles Aznavour,Cole Porter,Nat King Cole,The Temptations…Beatles….many more

What kind of music do you listen to today?

above…depending the occation and time of the day-night.

What embarrassing songs might I find on your MP3 player?

workout music to Pilates classes.

Where would you most like to perform?

Carnegie Hall, New York City.

Who would you most like to open for?

Diane Krall…Leonard Cohen…Mick Jagger….

If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing – or ff you could dabble in another genre of music, what would it be?

Playing the piano… rock/jazz fusion.

What genre of music can’t you stand to listen to?

Elevator music.

What do you like to do outside music??

Sports,Pilates,dancing,…reading, traveling, meeting with friends and hanging out, enjoying fine wine…

What do you need more in Austin personally?

huh…more cool places to perform with my Trio and connecting with international great intelligent people……

Where else can we find you? (Blog, website, twitter, facebook etc)?

http://silvierideryoung.com/

New York – Zhanna Rohalska

Meet – Zhanna Rohalska who currently lives in Manhattan as an artist, linguist, teacher and model.

Where are you from?

was born in the Far East of Russia and grew up in Western Ukraine (L`viv region)

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am a professional linguist, teacher, model and an artist. Art is my passion though I have discovered it for myself relatively not that long ago – around 5 years ago.

How long have you been an EC member?

I`ve been a member since July 2006

What’s your favorite piece of art that you have created?

I love this particular painting called “Cup” because it came out very spontaneously and effortlessly. However it radiates with the emotions that I have been experiencing at that time. The core theme is the conflict between a woman and a man and how sometimes love is mistaken for something else.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am mainly concentrating on big-size colored ink pen drawings at the moment. In particular, I am reworking a lot of Old Masters` paintings since I`m fascinated by the supremely balanced and graceful lines of their work that is often absent from contemporary works. I should admit that my reinterpretation of their themes does gain a certain angularity & awkwardness but that`s just how I do it. (: After making a drawing on the basis of a painting of one of the Masters, Girodet for example, I feel that I have touched the masterpiece and connected with a great source of lasting inspiration.

What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?

I would like to be more patient and understanding towards others. I would love to maintain an open childish gaze at this world and keep finding harmony in our existence, in spite of all daily tribulations facing us. I would not mind becoming famous one day as an artist but it is not a direct goal for me, it would be more of a side-effect of my creative activity.

What are you doing when you are not creating? What other hobbies do you have?

I love reading poetry (recently I reread a Russian poet Anna Akhmatova – she has wonderful lyrical poems that are punctured quite often with pain of unrequited love), philosophy; translating literary works; watching independent and older European cinema; meeting my friends.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

That I play NY lottery on a weekly basis (:.

Do you have any favorite blogs that you read?

http://solanah.wordpress.com, http://theburninghouse.com

Where else do you sell your work?

online stores and art platforms such as Saatchi Online, art fairs in NYC

Where else can we find you? (Blog, website, twitter, facebook etc)?

www.Rohalska.blog spot.com, FB page:http://on.fb.me/13tUjt4, http://selftaughtartist.tumblr.com/

What else should we know about you and your work?

I think we live in beautiful and at the same very conflicting times- a transitional phase where sustaining one`s individuality will become a core obligation of every conscious human being. In my art I explore my inner universe and at the same time reflect on the happenings around me.

Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?

Be always amazing and amazed! Nowadays people sometimes go from day to day without paying attention to the beautiful things surrounding them, deeply absorbed in mundane activities of earning money, making a career etc. You have to view this world as a daily miracle, which it is.

Do you admire any artists / photographers? (Famous or not!)

Marc Chagall, Amedeo Modigliani.

What is your favorite:

Color: Yellow, blue
Animal: Dog
Season: Spring
Movie: Requiem for a Dream
Book: “Gadfly” by Ethel Lilian Voynich

Anything else you would like Eurocircle members to know about you?

I am happy to be able to share my thoughts on the role of creativity in life with you. I hope my artwork brightened up your day or made you look at things from a slightly different angle than before!

Houston – February 21 2013

Join us at Triniti, a progressive American restaurant designed by Houston MC2 Architects.

Trinity represents an artistic outlet for all involved. Much attention has been paid to the details in everything – from the food, cocktails, open kitchen, commissioned artwork and custom chandeliers, to the tree-lined patio and chef’s garden. The feel … as if a small piece of Napa was uprooted and plunked down in the middle of South Shepherd, in the country’s fourth largest city… Not too casual, not too contemporary.

Triniti management has extended the happy hour for the Eurocircle members & guests until 8:00 pm. Complementary parking is also available.

Come meet old friends and make new ones.

Triniti Restaurant

History of International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is celebrated in several countries around the world. During that day women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions – whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It makes many of us to look back on past struggles and accomplishments. However, it is more important to look ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities for women.

International Women’s Year – 1975 marks the year when the United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March. The General Assembly adopted in late 1977 a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. By doing that, the UN General Assembly recognized the role of women in peace efforts and development. They also urged an end to discrimination and an increase of support for women’s full and equal participation.

It has been agreed that International Women’s Day started emerging from the activities of labor movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.

1909

The first National Woman’s Day was observed in the United States on 28 February. The Socialist Party of America designated this day in honor of the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York. That is when women actually dared to protest against deplorable working conditions. New York City always had issues at that time – and supposedly still does especially with illegal immigrants having terrible working conditions.

1910

The Socialist International, meeting in Copenhagen, established a Women’s Day (international in character), to honor the movement for women’s rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. It was greeted with unanimous approval by the conference of over 100 women from 17 countries. I might mention that it included the first three women elected to the Finnish Parliament. The women were allowed to vote in Finland in 1906 if I recall correctly my country’s history. No fixed date was selected for the observance.

1911

As a result of the Copenhagen initiative, International Women’s Day was marked for the first time (19 March) in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, where more than one million women and men attended rallies. The woman also demanded rights to work, to vocational training and to an end to discrimination on the job.

1913-1914

International Women’s Day became a way for protesting World War I. Russian women observed their first International Women’s Day on the last Sunday in February. In Europe, on or around 8 March of the following year, women held rallies either to protest the war or to express solidarity with other activists.

1917

Russian women again chose to protest and strike for ‘Bread and Peace’ on the last Sunday in February (which fell on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar). Four days later, the Czar abdicated and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote.

The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation. International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change. It is also a day to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women. Those women have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

The Charter of the United Nations, signed in 1945, was the first international agreement to affirm the principle of equality between women and men. The UN helped and is helping create a legacy of internationally-agreed strategies, standards, programs and goals to advance the status of women worldwide.

The UN and its agencies promote the participation of women as equal partners with men in achieving sustainable development, peace, security, and full respect for human rights. The empowerment of women continues is one of the central features of the UN’s efforts to address social, economic and political challenges across the globe.
2000 and beyond

IWD is now an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia. The tradition sees men honoring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother’s Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers. The historical effect is clear – look how many countries are former Soviet Union (Russian speaking/understanding)!

The Insider’s Guide to Vietnam – Spotlight on Hanoi

Many people know of Vietnam from history books and one of the most tragic wars of our time for both American and the Vietnamese people. While there are no exact figures, it has been estimated that between 55-60,000 Americans were killed during the Vietnam War, and approximately 1-2,000,000 Vietnamese were killed. Bear in mind that most counts of fatalities for the Vietnam War apparently do not take into account war-related deaths in Cambodia and Laos.

What people don’t know if that Hanoi in Vietnam is considered to be the most beautiful city in all of Asia. The city has two dozen lakes and on the edge of the city the roads dissolve into a maze of winding and narrow wooded lanes.

A majority of the city and people who live in Vietnam get around on bicycles and motorbikes. There are also meter taxis and hired cars that you can take to get around Hanoi and other cities.

Within the north end of the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi is where all of the tourist shops, inexpensive hotel and cafes are located. It is the oldest and busiest as well as most interesting part of the city. This district is also known as the “Old Quarter”, “Ancient Quarter” as well as “36 streets.” The 36 little streets in the quarter are each named for a commodity once sold by all of the businesses on the streets. For example, they are named for medicine, jewelry, fans, copper etc. The more you explore the more interesting stuff you will find such as lacquer ware makers, tinsmiths, tailors.

The city of Hanoi is very compact making it easy to get around for sightseeing. While in Hanoi go to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the most visited and revered site in Vietnam. This shrine was built on the edge of Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh delivered the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Vietnam to more than half a million countrymen in 1945, after Japan surrendered.

Note: Ho Chi Minh, real name Nguyen Tat Thanh (1890-1969), Vietnamese Communist leader and the principal force behind the Vietnamese struggle against French colonial rule. On September 3, 1969, he died in Hanoi of heart failure. In his honor, after the Communist conquest of the South in 1975, Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh was the soul of the revolution and of Vietnam’s struggle for independence. His personal qualities of simplicity, integrity, and determination were widely admired, not only within Vietnam but elsewhere as well.

You can continue on to the Ho Chi Minh Museum which is Vietnam’s most important architectural achievement. It opened in 1990 to commemorate Ho’s’ centenary. The exhibit’s chronicles his busy early years.

Your tour should continue on to the Van Mieu known as the (Temple of Literature) and Quoc Tu Giam (National University) which offers much serenity once you are through its towering gates.

They make one of Asia’s loveliest spots and show some of Vietnam’s most amazing religious structures and historical treasures. There are great pools filled with Lotus that are blooming and date back to 1076.

These are just some of the amazing sites that you will see in Vietnam and Hanoi

Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants

The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all over the world. USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) does its best to help them successfully integrate into American civic culture.

They have created a publication Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants, which offers a comprehensive guide containing practical information to help all of us immigrants settle into everyday life in the United States. The guide also includes basic civics information that introduces us as new immigrants to the U.S. system of government.

The guide is available in 14 languages. Welcome to the United States is also available for purchase in English, Spanish, and Chinese through the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). To order a print version of this publication, visit the U.S. Government Printing Office at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/.

Don’t forget that you can find plenty of other useful information at their site. How about “How Do I Customer Guides” that answer questions regarding immigration benefits in several categories.

They say the USA is the land of opportunity. Yes, it is for many people – including many fraudulent scam artists. One section is named Avoid Scams: The Wrong Help Can Hurt. So why do you need to read about that? Many people may offer help with immigration services. Keep in mind that not all are authorized to do so. While many of these unauthorized practitioners MAY mean well, all too many are out to rip you off. This is against the US law and may be considered an immigration service scam. This section will help you to avoid becoming a victim of an immigration scam, gives tips to identify common scams, find free or low-cost legal services, educate your community on immigration scams and report immigration scams in your state or U.S. territory.

In sum, always check out the government resources, they are usually free and are there to help you – not to hurt you!

Chicago – Feb 14 2013

EuroCircle Chicago Presents: Cupid’s Mix, Mingle and MATCH @ Divison Ale House!

Cupid has always been a big fan of our events- there have been at least 7 or 8 marriages that we proudly claim as our own, and being the romantics that we are, we always look forward to the event that started it all- our annual Valentine’s Day mixer!

So once again, Cupid will be sharpening his bows and arrows and will be looking for some good targets! All are welcome to attend, but if you are single and looking for a change in status, then you definitely can’t miss this event! Wear RED to be considered a target, and we’ll take care of the rest!

We are also very excited about hosting this event at a new venue for us- Division Ale House- a very cozy bar/lounge that’s perfect for a little Valentine’s day romance, or at the very least, a great craft beer or signature cocktail!
We’ll be featuring $5 LOVE POTION cocktails all night (Absolut Wild tea, lemonade and cranberry juice) and a special $6 home made truffle plates to help instigate some lovin’ feelings!

FREE ADMISSION if you mention EUROCIRCLE!
PLEASE RSVP – it’s VERY Important….:)

We look forward to seeing you there!

Chicago – Codrina Balan

Starting this month, we are introducing “EC member of the month” AND since our annual Valentine’s party is around the corner, Codrina will also be co-host Cupid…Male co-host coming up next…Thanks

Where are you from?

I am from Romania

When did you come to the US?

Came to the US as a child in 1986

How long have you been an EC member?

EC member since 2001

What do you do?

Consular Assistant at the Canadian Consulate

Since you’re our co-host Cupid, we have a lot of questions about love! What’s the most romantic city in the world?

Paris and also anywhere where you fall in love. The rosy glasses through which one sees the world will dress up everything in beautiful colors.

Best place to go to in Chicago for a first date?

I like Tocco for a first date 🙂

American men or European? Discuss.

I have more in common with European men but chemistry is chemistry and when one connects on the three levels of mind, body and soul, then it does not matter which country one is from. Differences in culture can enhance one’s life experience and your understanding of the world expands.

Which language do you consider to be the language of love?

Italian is the language of love.

Most important quality in a man is?

Since an individual is multidimensional or “a whole package” it is hard to pinpoint just one quality. I think that once there is mutual chemistry between two people, character is very important since it encompasses the mental and moral qualities of a person

Houston – February 07 2013

In the Rhineland, Weiberfastnacht (Women’s Karnevals Night) marks the beginning of the “tollen Tage” (crazy days) or street karneval. That day the women get to enjoy the evening out with their friends in bars and pubs of the old town centers while their husbands take care of the kids.

The Wiever Fastelovend starts traditionally with a pack of women storming the city hall at 11.11am, and taking over the keys of the city, as men are incapable to govern for the next five days.

To recreate the Karneval of Germany and specially the one from the Rhineland Charivari Restaurant will offer a three course menue that reflects foods from the Rhineland. During the evening typical “Karnevalsmusik” will be played in the restaurant and some people may feel tempted to “schunkeln” (dancing style typical for Karneval), cutting neck ties of the gentlemen, even though that may mean to give a “buetze” (peck on the cheek) as compensation, or do other hideous activities typical of the Karneval.

Since it’s a sit-down dinner hosted by Charivari, EuroCircle will reserve seating ahead of time. Stay tuned for an RSVP-by date. It will be first-come first-serve with limited seating.

Atlanta – Feb 06 2013

We will have our February get-together next Wednesday, February 6th at Barca Tapas & Bar (formerly La Fourchette) located at 3133 Piedmont Road (across from Bones) in Buckhead. It is connected to the pizza restaurant Tartufo which will also have a bar set up for helping with the bar flow. We will meet at our usual time (7:30 PM) and free valet parking will be available as well as free appetizers and drink specials. This is a really cool venue with great food and we should have a great turnout.

Looking forward to seeing everyone next week.

Salutations!!!

Atlanta Eurocircle